Gordon Elliott has farmed valuable handicap chases in recent seasons, but the Goffs Thyestes Chase is one of the few to elude the trainer.

It appears increasingly likely that Crabbie’s Grand National winner Many Clouds may attempt to do the Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup-Aintree double after his intended prep race was scuppered by the weather at Kelso on Saturday.

Neil King has all but ruled Lil Rockerfeller out of appearing in the Coral Cup after stressing the weight he would have to carry would leave him with an almost impossible task.

Clonmel hotelier John Nallen has experienced a terrific run of success with his charges in point-to-points this season and the owner/trainer struck once more with newcomer Minella Friend in the four-year-old geldings’ maiden at yesterday’s Killeady Harriers meeting at Dromahane.